• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2000

Cathepsin D is a protease which is known to facilitate invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma. Overexpression of cathepsin D is associated with poor clinical outcome and biologic aggressiveness of the breast cancer. We underwent immunocytochemical assay(ICA) for cathepsin D in fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) specimens from the breast carcinoma and benign breast diseases. In FNAC specimens cathepsin D was expressed in 21(42.9%) out of 49 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, whereas negative result was observed in all 15 cases of benign breast diseases including 7 fibroadenomas, 6 fibrocystic diseases, and 2 benign ductal hyperplasias. Among the 11 FNAC specimens from ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), cathepsin D was expressed in 3 cases(27.3%). In FNAC specimens immunocytochemistry for cathepsin D showed positive result in 24 out of 60 carcinomas(sensitivity, 40%) and negative result in 15 out of all 15 benign breast diseases(specificity, 100%). No significant correlation was noted between cathepsin D expression in FNAC specimen and clinicohistological characteristics of the breast carcinoma, such as hormone receptors and cell differentiation. In conclusion, ICA of cathepsin D in FNAC specimens thought to be a good adjunct to differentiate malignancy from benign breast diseases.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.463-467
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• 2018

Metastasis from primary cancer to the thyroid is uncommon in breast cancer. Here we present a case of lobular breast carcinoma that metastasized to the thyroid. A 54-year-old woman without symptoms was admitted to our institution for staging of the lymph node above the left clavicle. An $^{18}F$-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scan was performed for staging, and low uptakes were observed in the left supraclavicular and cervical lymph nodes. High uptake was seen in the posterior and lower left lobe of the thyroid. Histologic findings indicated lobular breast carcinoma (positive GATA3, loss of E-cadherin expression) metastatic to the thyroid with a luminal profile. Immunohistochemical analysis was negative for primary thyroid or parathyroid carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient presenting a metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma in the thyroid and lymph nodes without a prior diagnosis of breast cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.174-178
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• 1997

Matrix producing carcinoma of the breast is a variant of heterologous metaplastic carcinoma which is defined as "overt carcinoma with direct transition to a cartilaoenous and/or osseous stromal matrix without an intervening spindle cell zone or osteoclastic cells". This tumor is very rare, occuring in less than 0.2% of total breast carcinoma, but the prognosis is better than other metaplastic carcinoma. We experienced a case of fine needle aspiration(FNA) cytologic finding of matrix producing carcinoma of the breast. A 75-year old woman, who presented a right huge breast mass$(9{\times}8cm)$ during 10months, was examined. Mammography reveals right lateral mass with even density without calcification. Breast ultrasonography shows multifocal hypoechogenic cystic change in the huge mass, suggesting resolving hematoma or carcinoma or sarcoma with necrosis. On cytologic finding of FNA, myxoid matrix was the dominant feature and the rest of the material was composed of scanty isolated atypical cells with large irregular nuclei. The histologic finding was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with abundant cartilagenous matrix and focal squamous metaplasia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1231-1233
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of DLC-l in breast carcinoma and any association with tumor metastasis. Methods: 51 surgical specimens of human breast carcinoma, divided into high invasive and low invasive groups according to their clinicopathological features, 30 cases of adjacent normal tissue and 28 benign breast lesions were examined by qRT-PCR for expression of DLC-1. Results: Expression level of DLC-1 in adjacent normal tissue and benign breast lesion specimens was higher than that in breast carcinoma (P<0.0001); the values in the high invasive group with synchronous metastases were also lower than in the low invasive group (P=0.0275). The correlation between DLC-1 expression level and tumor progression and metastasis of breast cancer was negative. Conclusion: As an anti-oncogene, DLC-1 could play an important part in breast carcinoma occurrence, progression, invasiveness and metastasis. Detecting the changes of the expression of DLC-1 in the breast carcinoma may contribute to earlier auxiliary diagnosis of invasiveness, metastasis and recrudescence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2857-2861
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• 2014

More and more evidence indicates that the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene might be associated with susceptibility to breast carcinoma in humans being. However, individually published results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk. A complete search strategy was done by the electronic databases including PubMed and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. A meta-analysis including seven individual studies was carried out in order to explore the association between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene polymorphisms and breast carcinoma. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk were assessed by the random-effects model. A significant relationship between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma was discovered in an allelic genetic model (OR: 1.214, 95%CI: 1.085-1.358, p=0.001), a homozygote model (OR: 1.663, 95%CI: 1.240-2.232, p=0.001), a heterozygote model (OR: 1.392, 95%CI: 1.190-1.629, p=0.000), a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.407, 95%CI: 1.060-1.868, p=0.018) and a dominant genetic model (OR: 1.427, 95%CI: 1.228-1.659, p=0.000). On sub-group analysis based on ethnicity, significance was observed between the European group and the mixed group. A significant relationship was found between the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene and breast carcinoma risk. Individuals with the A allele of the G801A polymorphism in the CXCL12 gene are under a higher risk for breast carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2001

Solid papillary carcinoma of the breast is a distinctive form of intraductal papillary carcinoma frequently associated with both mucinous carcinoma and infiltrating ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specific. To our knowledge, this case is the first description of the cytologic aspects of solid papillary carcinoma of the breast in the Korean literature. We experienced a case of solid papillary carcinoma of the right breast diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) in a 70-year-old female. FNAC from the right breast showed high cellularity consisting of mostly tight clusters of tumor cells and a few scattered tumor cells. The nuclei were monotonously round to oval in shape with inconspicuous nucleoli. The cytoplasm was abundant and finely granular. Scant amount of mucinous material was present on the background. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2002

Scattered single cells or variable sized clusters of signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of breast lesions are almost exclusively associated with carcinoma. The signet ring cells are defined as those containing a prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole or amorphous cytoplasm diffusely dispersed with mucin. The primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast behaves more aggressively than carcinoma without signet ring cells. Therefore, it is very important to make a correct diagnosis of signet ring cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology is useful for diagnosis of breast lesions Including signet ring cell carcinoma. We report two cases, which showed mostly signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of the breast. One case consisted of numerous individual signet ring cells and variable sized cell clusters in rather mucoid background. The tumor cells had abundant amorphous cytoplasm filled with dispersed mucin or occasionally mucin vacuoles(PAS +) and eccentric nuclei. The resected mass revealed mucinous carcinoma. The other showed the cytologic findings of low cellularity, and small loosely cohesive signet ring cell clusters with mild nuclear pleomorphism. It was confirmed as lobular signet ring cell carcinoma in the resected tumor.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2003

Cystic hypersecretory carcinoma of the breast is a rare variant of ductal carcinoma of breast, first described in 1984 by Rosen and Scott. Histologically, it is characterized by the formation of dilated ducts and cysts containing an eosinophilic secretory product resembling thyroid colloid. Cytologic findings show a few clusters of atypical ductal epithelial cells in amorphous proteinaceous material with clacking artifact. Differential diagnosis include mucinous carcinoma and benign mucocele-like tumor. We present two cases of fine needle aspiration cytology of cystic hypersecretory intraductal carcinoma of the breast with a review of the literature.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 1998

Glycogen-rich clear ceil carcinoma of the breast is an unusual variant of carcinoma with a recorded incidence of $1.4{\sim}3%$ of breast carcinomas. The cytologic characteristics have not been well described. We report two cases of glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma with corresponding fine needle aspiration(FNA) cytologic findings and compare them to infiltrating ductal carcinoma and other clear ceil malignancies with a review of literature. One was a 62-year-old woman exhibiting a palpable mass of the right breast. The smears showed atypical tight cell clusters and individually scattered single cells containing leanly or clear abundant cytoplasm with well defined cytoplasmic margins. Mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism and a prominent nucleolus were present. The other was a 42-year-old woman who was admitted with a right breast mass. The smears showed moderately cellular, tightly cohesive tumor cells. The cytoplasmic outline was generally well demarcated. The tumor cells Contained foamy to clear abundant cytoplasm with large and small vacuoles. The nuclear pleomorphism was marked. Both tumors resected by modified radical mastectomy, were diagnosed as glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma. Histologically, the clear cell nature of tumor cells were not characteristic enough to predict this type of the tumor. Some cytologic features can be distinguished other clear cell breast cancer from glycogen-rich carcinoma. Recognition of these unusual patterns in a breast FNAC should raise the suspicion of a clear cell carcinoma including glycogen-rich subtype. Cytological localization of glycogen using PAS and D-PAS staining may permit the correct Identification and differential diagnosis of this tumor.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 1994

Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the breast is an uncommon histologic form of infiltrating ductal carcinoma and the cytologic features of MC are not well delineated. We recently experienced a case of fine needle aspiration cytology of MC of the breast. The characteristic cytopathologic features were cellular aspirate consisting of large, pleomorphic cells in background of many single to clusters of lymphocytes.